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VANUATU COMMITS TO SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/30/2003 - 00:00

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (SIBC, April 29) - Vanuatu will be
sending its contingent to the South Pacific Games despite concerns raised by
other Pacific island countries such as Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS.

The president of Vanuatu Olympic Committee, Joe Carlo,
re-affirmed the commitment in Honiara today following concerns raised by PNG and
Solomon Islands.

Carlo is accompanying, Kevin Gosper the Vice President of the
International Olympic Committee on a two-day visit to Solomon Islands.

Carlo said, precautionary measures taken at all entry points in
Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Papua New Guinea are necessary and hope SARS will be
contained.

Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee was to have met today
to make a decision whether or not to send a team to Fiji or call for a
deferment.

In other developments, Gosper, after arrival held discussions
with the Australian high Commissioner Bob Davis and tomorrow will meet the
Police Commissioner William Mr Gosper said the purpose of his visit is to hold
discussions with the National Olympic Committee, to check on the administration
whether additional assistance can be rendered and to deliver sporting equipment
to victims of cyclone Zoe and Beni on Tikopia and Anuta and Rennell and Bellona
province.

Pacific Islands Report is a nonprofit news publication of the Pacific Islands Development Program at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Offered as a free service to readers, PIR provides an edited digest of news, commentary and analysis from across the Pacific Islands region, Monday - Friday.